Boyette, Robert T. (Bob)

In Honor of Robert T. "Bob" Boyette
Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)

Bob Boyette was born in the Glendale Community of Johnston County, North Carolina. His parents, Paul A. and Sally Wellons Boyette, raised Bob; his sisters Pauline and Mina; and his brothers Paul, Jr., Albert, and George on the family farm. Bob graduated from Glendale High School in 1947. He received a junior college degree from Oak Ridge Military Institute in 1949 and a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1951. In 1966, Bob received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.

Robert T. Boyette served in the United States Air Force for many years. He participated in the Air Force's first operational missile wing in Germany from 1957 to 1960. From then until 1968 he served in the Air Force Space Program with the program that recovered the first satellite from space. From 1968 until 1971 he was Commandant, Non-Commissioned Officer's Academy. During the next year, he was Assistant Director of Training, South Vietnam Force Headquarters, Saigon. He was Director of Off-Duty Education, Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Pentagon from 1973 until 1976.

Bob has received various military decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Cluster, and several Vietnam Service Medals.

Bob and his wife Dot, the former Dorothy Gregory of Goldsboro, NC, and their two children Linda and Greg returned to the Glendale Community after his retirement from the Air Force. He then served as Controller at Williamson Truck Lines and Controller, Vice-President of Operations at Braswell Equipment Company, both located in Wilson, NC.

Bob Boyette is known and respected for his recording and publishing of much local history. He has had a long writing career which includes experience with the Daily Reflector, Greenville, NC; Serv-Air Aviation Corporation, Kinston, NC; Air Force Information Officer; and nineteen years as columnist for The Kenly News. From research and information gathered for his weekly column, Bob has published four books. Reflections published in 1983 and Down Home Memories published in 1989 have had all copies sold. Yesterdays Remembered published in 1994 and Treasured Times, 1998, have had a total of 1,250 copies sold.

In addition to being the resident historian of the Kenly area, Bob has served his community in other ways, also. He is a past president of the Kenly Kiwanis Club; past commander, Kenly American Legion Post # 328; and member of the newly formed Kenly Area Historical Society. He is always ready to share history and knowledge with school classes and other groups.
It is with great respect and honor that the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, the Kenly Area Historical Society, and the Kenly News recognize Robert T. "Bob" Boyette for his diligence and dedication to the compiling, recording, and publishing of our area's history.

This honors page has been placed in the Tobacco Farm Life Museum's Memorials and Honors Program by the Kenly News.